Community unites to say goodbye to flood victim

A COMMUNITY gathered to say goodbye to the 91-year-old victim of St Asaph floods.

Family and friends of great grandmother Margaret Hughes attended St Asaph Parish Church for her funeral service on Friday.

Her body was found at her home at Tai’r Felin the same day the River Elwy burst its banks.

Mrs Hughes was described as an active and independent mother and grandmother and a valued member of the community.

The Vicar of St Asaph, Rev Val Rowlands, led the service.

She said: “The day of the floods has left an indelible mark on St Asaph and the death of Margaret Hughes - a valued member of our community - was a great shock to us all.

“The funeral service was a time to come together and give thanks for her life, to acknowledge the circumstances of her death and to say farewell to Margaret.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.”

Mrs Hughes was due to celebrate her 92nd birthday just days after the floods and her family said she was independent and strong willed with a real sense of humour and fun.

Cllr John Roberts, mayor of St Asaph, said: “On behalf of the community I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Hughes’ family and our thoughts are with them constantly.”

Mrs Hughes spent most of her early life working on farms, initially in Cerrig, near Corwen, and then Plas Coch in St Asaph where she farmed with her husband for 18 years before moving to St Asaph.

She was still very active and loved nothing more than entertaining her grandchildren and great grandchildren with cups of tea and mince pies with which she would overwhelm them particularly at Christmas.

An inquest which has been opened and adjourned gave the preliminary cause of death as drowning.